In April 2013, a little more than four years ago, Maryland passed sweeping gun control legislation. Today, homicides in Baltimore are on pace for an all-time high.

The Baltimore Sun reports that the city’s 146 murders this year are the highest ever recorded for the first five months of a year. The previous record was set in 1993, with 139 homicides.

More stats show the murder rate up 32 percent from last year and up nearly 85 percent from three years ago. Violent crime and property crime are also up over last year, rising 19 percent and 5 percent, respectively.

The tired theory that more gun control equates to less gun violence has been proven false time and time again, and Maryland is just another example of that. Rather than concentrating on restricting law-abiding residents, lawmakers would be better served to concentrate on stopping the criminals—not making it easier on them.

“Universal” Background Check Measure Introduced In Pennsylvania

A measure that would criminalize the previously legal private sale of firearms—a longstanding American tradition—has been introduced in the Keystone State.

House Bill 1400, sponsored by Republican state Rep. James Santora, would require an individual to seek a licensed firearm dealer to conduct a criminal background check prior to purchasing or transferring a firearm to another individual, including purchases conducted at gun shows. Additionally, an individual would have to obtain 72-hour background check approval if the individual wanted to make more than one purchase without having to pay for multiple background checks.

It is currently illegal to knowingly sell a firearm to an individual who is a prohibited possessor. Likewise, it is a felony for a prohibited person to buy, own or possess a firearm. By criminalizing otherwise lawful transfers, this bill could unknowingly turn a law-abiding person into a criminal.

Use Your Power!

Pennsylvania gun owners are encouraged to contact their state representative and urge him or her to oppose HB 1400. Contact your representative directly byclicking here.

Contact Governor To Stop Anti-Gun Bill In Kansas!

After the Kansas Senate declared an emergency final action to ram anti-gun HB 2278 through with minimal scrutiny or debate, the House has now followed suit and approved the bill a mere two hours after receiving it.

The bill, which would outlaw concealed carry in state- or municipal-owned medical care facilities and adult-care homes, would do nothing to stop crime. Instead, it risks making criminals of law-abiding citizens, and would embolden actual criminals, who hide in places such as dark parking garages in order to prey on those in distress.

Given that there have been no incidents of permit holders posing a danger in such facilities, there’s no conceivable reason this bill should be treated as an emergency. Rather, in expediting this pointless bill, Kansas lawmakers are hoping that no one has time to realize who is actually targeted.

Use Your Power!

HB 2278 now goes to Gov. Sam Brownback for consideration. It is very important that those who care about the right of self-defense call him at (785) 296-3232 and urge him to veto the measure.

Texas Attack Victim’s Son Shoots Armed Intruder

A Texas homeowner is alive today because his son was able to access his firearm and stop a vicious attack by an armed intruder.

The Harris County, Texas, Sheriff’s Office told local media that over the weekend a suspect entered a family’s home armed with a shotgun and a pistol. He pushed the homeowner and his wife around, then beat the homeowner with the shotgun.

Seeing the attack in progress, one of the couple’s sons shot and killed the intruder. The homeowner was treated for a head injury and is expected to recover completely.